The decade between 1986 and 1996 witnessed the most exciting era ever in the annals of Irish soccer. Starting with the qualification for the 1988 Euro Finals, the period also saw Ireland qualify for the World Cup Finals in Italy in 1990 and the USA IN 1994. It was an era which put Ireland very much on the international map and was characterised above all by one man Jack Charlton whose central role turned Ireland from the Cinderella nation of world football to one of the most respected and most feared of soccer opponents. This film relives the great moments which have become known, collectively, as "The Charlton Years".

The Charlton Years

The year: 1969. Headlines blare war and civil unrest while John Lennon and Yoko Ono are in love. The eccentic rock 'n' roll couple has just gotten married, and more than happy to be together, they want to change the world. Lying in a hotel bed surrounded by journalists, they announce their mission for peace and invite the rest of the world to symbolically climb into bed with them and share their dream. People call them silly, naive, even ridiculous, yet one famous couple's bed-in spread new hope that there really could be an end to war, hate and violence. Here is rare footage from that amazing time, including footage from John and Yoko's wedding, the infamous bedside confrontation between John and conservative cartoonist Al Capp, Lennon debating media expert Marshall McLuhan, and meeting Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. Now twenty years after Lennon's murder, Yoko and others involved in the peace mission reflect on the events of that magical, mystical year.